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- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
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- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
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- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
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- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
- Close
- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
- Close
- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
- Close
- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
- Close
- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
Shop
- Close
- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
- Close
- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

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Correct!

Sadly, there are now less than 2,400 mountain hares left in England.

We’re putting a stop to this decline but we need your help. A gift of £10 could buy a thermal imaging kit to help us monitor these special hares.

Donate now

Hare today, gone tomorrow

The shy mountain hare was once found all across the UK’s uplands. Habitat degradation and hunting left them confined mainly to Scotland and Ireland. Back in the 1880s, landowners attempted to reintroduce mountain hares to England. Most populations failed. However, a small group in the Peak District survived and spread, establishing itself across the national park.

Did you know?
Mountain hares are the UK’s only native hare. They have two coats – a white one for winter and brown for summer. This ensures that they are almost perfectly camouflaged against the snowy Peak District during winter and the moorland during warmer months.

Despite making it this far, this population of hares face more threats than ever before. Roads have led to an increase in hares being hit by cars and also prevented different groups of hares from meeting, mating and maintaining genetic diversity. Illegal hunting is also thought to be a factor and hares are often found dead in suspicious circumstances. Although banned, ‘hare coursing’ still goes on, which involves two dogs such as greyhounds, racing to catch the hare first. If that wasn’t enough to contend with, milder temperatures due to climate change are not favourable for mountain hares, which are well adapted to the cold. It’s incredible that these mountain hares have made it to this point, against all odds!

However, we CAN turn this around.

We won’t let England’s only remaining mountain hares go extinct. That’s why we’re funding Carlos Bedson to investigate the sustainability and viability of the remaining mountain hares. He’s monitoring the hares and exploring how the threats are affecting them through thermal imaging, genetic sampling, camera trap monitoring and GIS modelling. The goal is to review the legal status of mountain hares and offer them more protection.

We want mountain hares to thrive again in the Peak District. Carlos’ continuing research will give us the information needed to put in place measures to enable them to do that. And the implications are also much wider for other mammal species in peril. Mammal reintroductions are notoriously difficult. With this research we’ll be able to investigate how this population managed to establish itself when others failed, and use the findings to aid other wild mammal reintroductions in the UK.

Donate now

Thank you